{"alias":"contentPage","byline":null,"standfirst":null,"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"sidebar","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp class=\u0022\u0022 data-start=\u00220\u0022 data-end=\u002277\u0022\u003E2025 marks 80 years since the first Victory in Europe (VE) Day on 8 May 1945.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022\u0022 data-start=\u002279\u0022 data-end=\u0022306\u0022\u003EVE Day celebrated the end of the Second World War in Europe and the return of peace to our continent. This year, we\u2019ll remember the sacrifices made by our servicemen and servicewomen and honour the freedom they helped secure.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022\u0022 data-start=\u0022308\u0022 data-end=\u0022479\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ll also remember the 450,000 people from the UK who lost their lives in the war, including 70,000 civilians, as well as the millions more across Europe and the world.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022\u0022 data-start=\u0022481\u0022 data-end=\u0022633\u0022\u003EScouts have always played an important role in these commemorations, and there\u2019ll be various activities, events, and projects for you to take part in.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/ozpnrjfa/landscape-poppy-scouts-ve-80.jpg","width":2000,"height":1500,"altText":"A navy blue and red Scout neckerchief displayed on a dark fabric background. The neckerchief is folded with a knot at the bottom, and it features a circular badge with a Union Jack border, a red poppy, and the text \u0027VE Day 80 \u2013 Scouts for Peace.\u0027 Two additional matching items are positioned to the left: an embroidered patch and a small enamel pin, both with the same design and messaging.","caption":"The official VE Day 80 occasional uniform badge is on sale from Scout Store from 25 March 2025.","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003ECommemorate VE Day 80 with these activities, events and projects\u003C/h3\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":true,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp class=\u0022\u0022 data-start=\u00220\u0022 data-end=\u0022125\u0022\u003EAlthough VE Day is on 8 May, to celebrate this year\u2019s anniversary, many events will happen on the bank holiday Monday, 5 May.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022\u0022 data-start=\u0022127\u0022 data-end=\u0022238\u0022\u003EOn that day, communities will gather to remember in different ways \u2013 from street parties to community projects.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://together.org.uk/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EThe Together Coalition\u003C/a\u003E is encouraging everyone to be part of \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://together.org.uk/ve80/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EThe Great British Food Festival\u003C/a\u003E on the day.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Attend or host a community event on Monday 5 May 2025 (Bank Holiday Monday)"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://together.org.uk/ve80/vemail/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EVE Mail\u003C/a\u003E is a special way for young people to hear real stories from the Second World War. Scouts can ask for a letter from a living war veteran to be sent to their group.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022\u0022 data-start=\u0022172\u0022 data-end=\u0022346\u0022\u003EThen, Scouts can write letters back to say thank you, share what VE Day (Victory in Europe Day) means to them, and talk about how they\u2019ll help remember the veterans\u2019 story.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Write a letter to a second world war veteran"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EScouts will be supporting key commemoration events in London, and will be represented on:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMonday 5 May: Procession and Fly Past in central London\u00A0\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThursday 8 May: Service at Westminster Abbey, London\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThursday 8 May: Concert at Horse Guards Parade, London\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"Scouts at the national commemoration events in London "},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe VE Day 80 \u2013 Scouts for Peace Badge can be worn on the uniform by all Scouts and volunteers until October 2025.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou can \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://shop.scouts.org.uk/new-in/poppy-scouts-ve-day-80-uniform-badge#selection.color=34\u0026amp;selection.size=719\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#selection.color=34\u0026amp;selection.size=719\u0022\u003Eorder your badge from Scout Store\u003C/a\u003E, along with a matching woggle, scarf and pin badge.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Wear the official VE Day 80 uniform badge, scarf and woggle  "},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EScouts are invited to light beacons and Lamp Lights of Peace at or just before 9:30pm on Thursday 8 May 2025.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you\u2019re planning to be part in this, you can \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://ve80.com/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eregister your event nationally\u003C/a\u003E. You event will be added to the official calendar and a certificate will be issued.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Light a beacon or lamp on 8 May 2025"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETake part in our programme activities to help celebrate and mark VE80. \u0026nbsp;You could try these activities:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/guess-the-scout-badge-from-the-past/\u0022 title=\u0022Guess the badge from the past\u0022\u003EGuess the Scouts badge from the 1940s\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMake some \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/make-some-brilliant-bunting/\u0022 title=\u0022Make some brilliant bunting\u0022\u003Ebrilliant bunting\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EFind out how \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/ve-prepared/\u0022 title=\u0022VE prepared\u0022\u003EScouts used their skills in the second world war\u003C/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMake a \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/fruity-union-jack-flag-cake/\u0022 title=\u0022Fruity Union Jack flag cake\u0022\u003Efruity Union Jack cake\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECraft a \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/craft-a-cotton-poppy-for-ve-80/\u0022 title=\u0022Craft a cotton poppy for VE 80\u0022\u003Ecotton poppy\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMake \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/make-stained-glass-poppies/\u0022 title=\u0022Make stained glass poppies\u0022\u003Estained glass poppies\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"Run activities for your Scouts"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETake part in \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://ve-vjday80.gov.uk/tiptoptowns/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ETip Top Towns\u003C/a\u003E and share how you and your community are getting ready for VE Day 80. You can make your own VE Day 80 decorations or join a local community group to plant flowers in shared gardens. There are certificates for all Groups and Sections that join in.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Take part in Tip Top Towns"}]},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"Learn more about the Veterans\u0027 Oaks project","body":"\u003Cp\u003ECommemorate VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day) by getting involved with Veterans\u2019 Oaks, a tree planting project to commemorate the end of the Second World War.\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"Veterans\u0027 Oaks website","id":null,"url":"https://veterans-oaks.treestory.me/","newWindow":false,"target":"_blank"},"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Commemorate VJ Day 80","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/qtbpbmhp/rover-scouts-on-ve-day-1945.png","width":1112,"height":573,"altText":"","caption":"Rover Scouts carrying children on VE Day 1945","link":null}]},{"items":[{"type":"Image top","cta":"Read our blog on VE Mail to get involved","body":"\u003Cp class=\u0022\u0022 data-start=\u00220\u0022 data-end=\u0022210\u0022\u003ETo mark 80 years since the end of the second world war in Europe, youth groups and schools across the country are invited to request a letter from a living veteran.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022\u0022 data-start=\u0022212\u0022 data-end=\u0022420\u0022\u003EYoung people are then encouraged to write back, thanking the veteran, reflecting on what VE Day (Victory in Europe Day) means to them today, and sharing how they\u2019ll help preserve the legacy of the veterans.\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":null,"id":null,"url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2025/march/ve-day-80-write-letters-to-a-second-world-war-veteran/","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":"#6310bc","title":"VE Mail: Write letters to a Second World War Veteran","image":"/media/ji4jjmun/ve-day-80-information.jpg?cc=0,0.1562499999999999,0,0\u0026width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1db9cd0b8916ab0","imageFocus":"","imageId":85198,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Image top","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETake part in our programme activities to help commemorate and mark VE Day 80. You could try these activities:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/guess-the-scout-badge-from-the-past/\u0022 title=\u0022Guess the badge from the past\u0022\u003EGuess the Scouts badge from the 1940s\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMake some \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/make-some-brilliant-bunting/\u0022 title=\u0022Make some brilliant bunting\u0022\u003Ebrilliant bunting\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EFind out how \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/ve-prepared/\u0022 title=\u0022VE prepared\u0022\u003EScouts used their skills in the second world war\u003C/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMake a \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/fruity-union-jack-flag-cake/\u0022 title=\u0022Fruity Union Jack flag cake\u0022\u003Efruity Union Jack cake\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECraft a \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/craft-a-cotton-poppy-for-ve-80/\u0022 title=\u0022Craft a cotton poppy for VE 80\u0022\u003Ecotton poppy\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMake \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/make-stained-glass-poppies/\u0022 title=\u0022Make stained glass poppies\u0022\u003Estained glass poppies\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#003982","title":"Activities for commemorating VE Day 80","image":"/media/ljylbhm5/db-20240609-9411-175050min.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1db34ea9b6d1310","imageFocus":"","imageId":82412,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":"","pageType":null,"location":null,"browserTitle":"","versionDate":"21 March 2025","reviewDate":"01/01/0001","redirectUrl":"","id":85194,"nodeName":"Commemorating VE Day 80","title":"Commemorating VE Day 80","type":"contentPage","image":null,"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Commemorating VE Day 80","headerSubTitle":"Take part in a special year of commemoration as we remember and say thank you to the servicemen and women who served in the Second World War.\n","headerCta":"","headerCtaText":"","headerCtaLink":"","headerBackgroundColour":"6310bc","showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":[]},"subHeader":"","silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC84NTE5NCJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/national-events/commemorating-ve-day-80/"}